Romans 9:1-13
The Heart of Paul Towards the People of Israel

Today, 03/28/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in Romans 9:1-13.

1 I tell the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,

2 that my grief is great, and a never ceasing pain is in my heart,

3 for I myself was wishing to be a curse from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to flesh,

4 who are Israelites, whose are the adoption and the glory, and the covenants, and the Lawgiving, and the service, and the promises;

5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to flesh, He being God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

6 Not, however, that God’s Word has failed. For not all those of Israel are Israel,

7 nor because they are Abraham’s seed are all children, but “In Isaac a Seed shall be called to you.” Gen. 21:12

8 That is: Not the children of flesh are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for a seed.

9 For the Word of promise is this, “According to this time I will come, and a son will be to Sarah.” Gen. 18:10

10 And not only so, but also Rebekah conceiving of one, our father Isaac,

11 for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of the One calling,

12 it was said to her, “The greater shall serve the lesser;” Gen. 25:23

13 even as it has been written, “I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau.” Mal. 1:2, 3

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. Should God’s people grieve for their nation because many do not accept the Gospel, as Paul grieved for the people of Israel?

2. Is sentence 5 a clear statement affirming the deity of Christ, referring to Christ as God?

3. What does this phrase mean: “Not, however, that God’s Word has failed”?

4. What does this phrase mean: “not all those of Israel are Israel”?

5. Do verses 12 and 13 indicate that God is partial to Jacob?

Suggested Applications:

1. Do you feel pain in your heart because not many people in your nation have been saved by the Gospel? What do you do about that?

2. Have you ever doubted that Christ is not God?

3. Have you ever felt like God is showing favoritism to someone?